In legal terms, carrying a concealed weapon means carrying a handgun or other weapon on your person in public in a concealed manner. A Portland ME concealed weapons permit may give permission to carry a weapon other than a handgun, such as pepper spray, in quantity. Pepper spray may be carried in small quantities in a concealed manner without a concealed weapons permit in Portland Maine.

There may be many reasons for obtaining a concealed weapons permit in Portland ME. Statistics show that allowing a concealed weapons permit in Portland Maine is, on the whole, positive, and 49 states now permit having a concealed weapon.

John Lott, PhD, performed a study in 2000, which indicated that Portland Maine concealed weapons permit laws have reduced homicides by 8.5%, aggravated assaults by 7%, rape by 5%, and robberies by 3%. Criminals will carry weapons concealed on their persons regardless of laws permitting or banning such weapons. Therefore, criminals have a distinct advantage over law-abiding citizens. Even if a person with a concealed weapons permit in Portland ME never uses the weapon as defense in a dangerous encounter, the individual may feel safer with the weapon and feel free to travel where he/she wills, undeterred by unsavory elements.

According to a 2000 study performed by statistician William Sturdevant, the great majority of persons obtaining a concealed weapons permit in Portland Maine do not abuse their privilege. In fact, the general public is 5.7 times more likely to be arrested for violent offenses, and 13.5 times more likely to be detained for non-violent crime.

The facts show that criminals are considerably less likely to attack a person who has a legal concealed weapons permit in Portland ME. A peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology found that, if a person draws a gun in self-defense, 55% of the time the attacker retreats and the potential victim is unharmed.

However, there are certain criteria that must be legally met before an ordinary citizen may obtain a concealed weapons permit in Portland Maine. State rules for a concealed weapons permit in Portland ME may vary. For instance, all states have a legal age requirement for persons to obtain a Portland Maine concealed weapons permit, quite like the legal age required to drive a car. A person may also be required to take a firearms safety course. This class may be desirable for proper handling of a firearm even if the course is not required.

Certain states qualify as 'may issue' states. This means that a concealed weapons permit in Portland ME is issued there only at the state's discretion. This would mean the applicant would need to write a letter justifying the need to carry a concealed weapon on their person. Some states will only issue a concealed weapons permit in Portland Maine if a person has had legally proven threats on life, or if the individual works in the capacity of a security guard.Other states are 'shall issue' states. This means that, provided legal criteria are met, only a generic statement as to justification would be needed.

An applicant for a concealed weapons permit in Portland ME should qualify as a state resident. A criminal background check will be performed, and most states will require a photo ID and fingerprinting for a concealed weapons permit in Portland Maine. A concealed weapons permit in Portland ME will expire. Timely renewal of a Portland Maine concealed weapons permit is advisable.